South Korea (03/08) - 0 views
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dekker28 on 27 Feb 08many invasions by larger neighbors in 2000 years of existence/// Repelled numerous foreign invasions
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Japan27;s surrender to the Allied Powers in 1945, signaling the end of World War II, only further embroiled Korea in foreign rivalries.
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The war left almost three million Koreans dead or wounded and millions of others homeless and separated from their families.
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The Second Republic under the leadership of Chang Myon ended after only one year, when Major General Park Chung-hee led a military coup. Park27;s rule, which resulted in tremendous economic growth and development but increasingly restricted political freedoms, ended with his assassination in 1979
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. Subsequently, a powerful group of military officers, led by Lieutenant General Chun Doo Hwan, declared martial law and took power.
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Former business executive and Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak27;s 5-year term begins with his inauguration on February 25, 2008.
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1992 election of a long-time pro-democracy activist, Kim Young-sam. Kim became Korea27;s first civilian elected president in 32 years.
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Thereafter, pro-democracy activities intensified even more, ultimately forcing political concessions by the government in 1987, including the restoration of direct presidential elections.
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Natural resources: Limited coal, iron ore, limestone, kaolinite, and graphite.Agriculture, including forestry and fisheries: Products--rice, vegetables, fruit, root crops, barley; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs, fish. Arable land--17% of land area
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PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Korean(s).Population (2006): 48,846,823.Population annual growth rate (2006): 0.42%.Ethnic groups: Korean; small Chinese minority.Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Shamanism, Confucianism, Chondogyo.Language: Korean.Education: Years compulsory--9. Enrollment--11.5 million. Attendance--middle school 99%, high school 95%. Literacy--98%.Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--6.16/1,000. Life expectancy--77.0 yrs (men 73.6 yrs.; women 80.8 yrs).Work force (2005): 23.53 million. Services--67.2%; mining and manufacturing--26.4%; agriculture--6.4%.
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